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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



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PR03VTISPIECE. 




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THE 



FAMILY 3IEMORIALJ 

A FATHER'S TRIBUTE 

TO 

THE xMEMORY OF FOUR CHILDREN. ' ^ 



U^ BY STEPHEN MORELL, 



OF LITTLE BADDOW, ESSEX 



/W*. c^tt^P ^^^ '/f3? 



REVISED BY THE COMMITTEE OF PUBLICATION^ 
FROM THE LONDON EDITION. 



BOSTON: 

MASSACHUSETTS SABBATH SCHOOL SOCIETY. 
« Depository No. 13 Cornhill. 

1837. 



■~^*V"- 






Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1837, by 

CHRISTOPHER C. DEAN, 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of MaiiachuiotU. 



n. . ^'A J/^St 



THE 



^j FAMILY MEMORIAL, 



ETC. 



INTRODUCTION. 

The voice of God's providence, which is 
often afflictive, but always wise, righteous 
and good, demands the attention of all. 
When we see the opening bud of hfe de- 
stroyed ere yet its beauties had been fully 
developed ; and when we read the awful in- 
scription, " Childhood and youth are vanity," 
written by the finger of God upon the walls 
of our houses, in the very apartments that 
were enlivened by youthful cheerfulness, and 
consecrated by the early and simple begin- 
nings of youthful piety ; and when we at- 
tend those in whom many a reasonable and 



D INTRODUCTION. 

happy expectation had been centred, to the 
house appointed for all hving, leaving them 
in the dark and deep sohtude of the grave, 
we utter, in solemn sighs, the lessons we had 
been so rekictant to learn, and we exclaim, 
*' Lord, what is man ! " 

Never does the beauty of any object in 
nature strike us so powerfully as when con- 
trasted with its opposite ; and the darkest 
clouds of providence often present to our 
minds the grace of God which bringeth sal- 
vation, with a lustre which, perhaps, under 
other circumstances, we should never have 
discovered. The same events in the order 
of providence which humble us, may also 
elevate us ; that which effectually teaches us 
not to glory in man, may constrain us to glory 
in the Lord, especially when the object is to 
recommend a Saviour to dvins: sinners, and 
to teach them (if it may please the Spirit 
of all grace to prosper the humble attempt) 
to glory only in the cross of Christ. 

The simple unembelhshed naiTatives which 
are now presented to more public notice, but 



INTRODUCTION. 7 

with an especial view to the young, have 
proved a treasure beyond value to the mem- 
bers of a fiimily whose coniforts and prospects 
once seemed to be inseparably connected with 
that endeared intercourse which death has 
broken, and which cannot again be placed 
within their reach. Not that this review of 
past times and of gratifying scenes, supported 
by mutual faith and mutual love, can replace 
wliat God has displaced ; but that the merci- 
ful exhibition of sovereign grace, which shed 
so bright a lustre even upon the gloomy path 
of death, has eclipsed the inferior hght of 
earthly anticipations, while it has directed the 
eye of faith, to that perfect state in which 
sin, and pain, and death are alike unknown. 
That w hich is lost, and that which was ex- 
pected, are in some measure forgotten in the 
contemplation of that which is realized, as 
we humbly tmst, by those who are gone, and 
may through faith and patience be attained 
by those wdio yet remain. It has been the 
good pleasure of HimVhose ways are mercy 
and truthj who worketh all tliino^s after tlie 



8 INTRODUCTION. 

counsels of his own will, who giveth not 
account of his ways to man, and to whom 
no Christian, in a proper state of feeling 
would dare to say, or wish to say, ^^ What 
doest thou ? " — it has pleased Him to re- 
move from a united and happy domestic, cir- 
cle, amidst all the solemnities of death, four 
of their number, dearly beloved, within the 
space of less than nine years. The eldest 
son, Stephen, second of the family, who had 
recently been ordained to the pastoral office 
at Norwich, died in the month of October, 
1824, nearly twenty-four years of age. The 
third daughter, and fourth of the family, La^ti- 
tia, in the month of November, 1827, at the 
age of twenty. The third son, and eighth of 
the family, George James, in the month of 
June, 1830, at the age of sixteen years and 
three months ; and the fifth daughter, and 
seventh of the family, Mary Ann, on the 
4th of September, 1833, at the age of twenty- 
one. It is our mercy to be able to say, 
^- These ah died in faith !"^ 

Doubtless such affectinc: strokes were felt 



INTRODUCTION. 9 

most keenly. To say (had it been the truth) 
that no sorrow was awakened, or that no 
tears were shed, would be a declaration alike 
dishonorable to our common nature, and to 
our Christian professions. True religion, in- 
stead of destroying the just and lawful sym- 
pathies of humanity, is calculated both to 
correct and to strengthen them. On the 
contrary, to refuse to be comforted under the 
chastening of the Lord, is sin ; it is the una- 
vailing eflbrt of a rebellious heart. When 
we smart under the rod, we ought to kiss 
it, and to adore Him that appointed it ; we 
ought to suffer, but we are forbidden to faint. 
The apostolic injunction on this subject is 
sufficiently exphcit, and ought to be regarded 
by all Christians as a standing rule of duty : 
~" But I would not have you to be ignorant, 
brethren, concerning them which are asleep, 
that ye sorro\\ not, even as others which have 
no hope," 1 Thess. iv. 13; and he gives, 
immediately afterwards, the most satisfactory 
reasons for this seasonable and comfortable 
admonition. 



10 INTRODUCTION. 

It is not proposed to fill the following pages 
with any rehearsal of the shortened lives of 
those whose peaceful end will be faithfully 
described. A very few years spent in seclu 
sion, and filled up with little variation, amidst 
those exercises and studies which are but a 
preparatory training for future maturity, can 
present but little, either of incident or in- 
struction. A short statement, therefore, in 
each case will suffice, merely as introductory 
to the specific object intended ; which is, to 
show the powder and triumph of faith in the 
seasons of affliction and death. The certain- 
ty of this result, though perhaps at the dis- 
tance of many weeks, afforded to us those 
opportunities of close and deliberate conver- 
sations, which in many cases cannot be attain- 
ed. We could ascertain with satisfaction the 
rehgious sentiments, the solemn impressions, 
the hopes, and fears, and joys of those who 
were themselves fully apprized of their ap- 
proaching end. Not only does the WTiter 
hold himself responsible for the general accu- 
racy, but, in most instances, for the precise 



INTRODUCTION. 11 

laiifi^uaLi^e that was uttered in the assured ex- 
pectation of the solemn event. Indeed, some 
of the sentences recorded in these memorials 
were privately written at the moment, when 
every whisper and every breath is usually 
listened to with the most anxious attention ; 
and the whole was penned with very few 
verbal alterations, in the form and lano:uao;e 
in which it is now published, within a very 
short time after the lips that had been opened 
with nearly the last breath to testify the 
power and glory of a precious Savior, were 
sealed by the hand of death. 



FAMILY MEMORIAL. 



STEPHEN MORELL. 

The first and only desire of his parents on 
the birth of their son Stephen, was that his 
Hfe, if spared, might be devoted to God, in 
the service of the sanctuary ; and when, in 
very early days, he afforded what appeared 
to us satisfactory proof of mental capacity, 
sufficiently promising, the hope was willingly 
indulged that the object of our earnest desire 
might perhaps be realized. With this view 
every attention within our reach was paid to 
his education. 

Still I consider that it would have been an 

act of daring presumption, or rather awful 

impiety, to have forced a youth into the 

Christian ministry, without endowments of a 

2* 



14 FAMILY MEMORIAL. 

far nobler and higher order than those of 
good capacity, a good education, or even bril- 
liant talent. I pretend to nothing more than 
what ought to be common to every Christian, 
when I say that many a humble effort Was 
made in the days of his childhood, to com- 
municate useful and especially scriptural 
knowledge to his mind ; occasions were em- 
braced that might be instrumental to awaken 
deep religious impression, and prayers were 
offered without ceasing to the God of all 
grace, that he would by the mighty energy 
of his own Spirit, render our feeble attempts 
successful. The state of his mind and of his 
heart was w^atched amidst alternate hopes 
and fears, with deep anxiety and unremitting 
attention. None but those who themselves 
feel the excellency of the knowledge of 
Christ, in connection with the unknown worth 
of an immortal soul, can conceive of the sa- 
cred silent emotion of a parent's heart, when 
the first certain intelligence is brought to his 
ear concerning the piety of a beloved child, 
and it is announced to him, *' Behold he 
prayeth." 



STEPHEN MURELL. 15 

This important fact was ascertained at an 
early period, and confirmed in the progress of 
succeeding years. His disposition was upon 
the whole reserved, and seldom could we ob- 
tain from his lips any knowledge of the im- 
pressions of the heart ; yet there appeared 
uniformly that conscientious feeling, and that 
inclination towards religious duties and privi- 
leges, which could not fail to increase the 
hope that he was become a new creature. 
It has been our privilege, however, to learn 
from his own pen what was the real fact at 
this early period. In a letter of advice, ad- 
dressed to a young friend, after he had been 
engaged for many months on public duties at 
Exeter, he thus writes : 

*' My next piece of advice is, that after 
you have seriously considered the dignity and 
the natural degradation of your immortal 
spirit ; after you have deeply thought over 
the immensity of meaning which is comprised 
in that one word eternity, that you fix on 
some specific time, and then, with solemn 
prayer, make a dedication of yourself to 



16 FAMILY MEMORIAL. 

Christ, and surrender your immortality into 
his hands, for it is too precious a treasure to 
be kept in your own. The happy effects, 
which, by the blessing of God, may result 
from such a solemn act of dedication, I do 
humbly hope my experience tends to demon- 
strate. I remember when I was about your 
age, deeply impressed wath religious feelings, 
I retired to a secret spot, and, falling on my 
knees, gave myself up to our Lord Jesus 
Christ, praying that he would preserve me 
for life and for ever. To this act my 
thourfits would often recur, and thouo;h it 
grieves me to say that the vividness of these 
early feelings in after years subsided, yet 
the solemn impression was never effaced, 
and to this day I look back upon the scene 
with mingled thankfulness and humility." 

While it pleased God in the riches of his 
grace thus to meet our earnest desires, though 
it was yet thought improper to speak to him 
on the subject of the ministry, his ow^n mind, as 
appeared afterwards, was seriously employed 
in meditating the same important design ; this 



STEPHEN MORELL. 17 

he for the first time ventured to suggest, with 
tremulous voice, in or about the sixteenth year 
of his age. Now did we begin to hope that 
our prayers had been heard ; the grand essen- 
tial qualification, without which, it were good 
for any man called a Christian minister that 
he had never been born, had been granted : 
nothing seemed to forbid the prosecution of 
the long cherished liope ; every thing seemed 
to encourage it. Early in the year 1818, he 
was admitted into the communion of our 
Church, and the written account of his reli- 
gious views and feelings which w^as then ad- 
dressed to the Church was highly satisfactory ; 
not on account of any extraordinary display 
of talent or of knowledge, but because of 
the early and progressive influence of reli- 
gious principle described by himself with all 
simplicity. A very short extract from this 
letter will be read, I hope, by young persons, 
with benefit. 

" From my earliest years I have enjoyed 
advantages, as it regards divine things, and 
with grief and shame do I add, how little 



18 FAMILY MEMORIAL. 

have I improved them ! I can, truly say that 
at a very early age, mipressions, and deep mi- 
pressions, were made upon my mind. I 
cannot but think that at the age of nine or 
ten J the convictions of sin and its fearful con- 
sequences were more deep and solemn than 
they have ever been since. At that time 
religious ordinances were a dehght : gladly 
did I hail the return of the Sabbath, and often 
have I been in tears whilst listening to the 
remarks of a pious and affectionate father, on 
the evening of that day. But alas ! soon, 
too soon did I wander far astray, and left 
the fold of God. I tremble when I state 
that for a long course of time every thing like 
a religious feeling had subsided, prayer and 
the reading of the Scriptures were neglected : 
still do I delight to bless His name who in his 
mercy has not left me spurning his proffered 
grace, and trampling on the blood of a 
Savior. I have felt my sin and guilt in hav- 
ing neglected and slighted the advantages I 
had enjoyed ; I do feel the importance of 
flying to the Savior, and seeking for mercy 



STEPHEN MORELL. 19 

through his atonement ; and it is my earnest 
desire to grow in grace." 

Towards the close of this year, (1818,) he 
entered upon the usual course of studies for 
the Christian ministry, at Homerton College^ 
and diligently availed himself of the advan- 
tages which that venerable and excellent in- 
stitution has so long supplied for the benefit 
of British Churches, and which has been so 
successful in furnishing the minds of young 
men for the sacred calling, under those excel- 
lent tutors, the Rev. W. Walford, and Dr. J. 
P. Smith, the latter so justly distinguished for 
what must ever be considered the grand qual- 
ification of Christian pastors, a profound ac- 
quaintance with all the important subjects of 
Christian theology. The term of his studies 
having been completed, he passed the whole 
of the year 1823 at Exeter, where he was 
pennitted to witness some encouraging fruits 
of his ministry ; and in the month of June, 
1824, in compliance with the unanimous in- 
vitation of the ancient and venerable church 
at Norwich, he was ordained to the pastoral 



20 FAMILY MEMORIAL. 

office among them. His people were affec- 
tionate, his prospects bright — alas ! complain- 
ing nature would fain exclaim. Too soon 
were they blighted : more justly shall it be 
said. How soon were our expectations, cheer- 
ing and promising as they appeared, super- 
seded by the greater and better things which 
God had provided, but which our faith, while 
yet the dark cloud was suspending, could 
with difficulty embrace ! 

Although it appeared but too evident, 
when I attended the pleasing solemnities of 
his ordination, that his health was not good, 
the hope was willingly indulged that his ap- 
parent indisposition was but temporary, and 
would soon be removed ; this hope too was 
encouraged by one of his letters towards the 
end of July, informing us that the cough, 
from which so much had been apprehended, 
was removed, and that he hoped to visit us 
in a few days to spend the following month 
among his friends. Our anticipated inter- 
vievv^, however, was by no means gratifying ; 
before his arrival the former symptoms of 



STEPHEN MORELL. 21 

disease had returned with increased strength ; 
his appearance was discouraging, and his 
spirits were oppressed, as though ah*eady 
foreboding the scene which was soon to be 
reaHzed. He said, in allusion to the state of 
his health, '^ I know not what this may lead 
to : how many young ministers have lately 
been cut off! " It was not more than a week 
after this our first interview, that he was at- 
tacked, while on a journey, with that fatal 
hemorrhage which was to hasten his removal 
from all infirmity, in the space of two 
months. 

The first thought that was forced upon my 
own mind on his return, and which could not 
then have been uttered was, " Ah ! my son, 
you have come home to die ! " Under this 
impression I rejoiced to find him, even in this 
early period of his afiiiction, calm and patient. 
At times, as was natural, he expressed a 
feeling of disappointment under his peculiar 
circumstances, but even for this he reproved 
himself, and entreated me to pray that he 
might possess perfect resignation : he said he 
3 



22 FAMILY MEMORIAL* 

was not unhappy^ but found much enjoyment 
in communion with God. Yet^ he added^ 
^' I do not experience that strong consolation 
which some have feU^, and I beheve it is 
because I have too much neglected to pray. 
I have not restrained prayer before God. No^ 
I have conscientiously, and I trust devoutly^ 
embraced the privilege of a throne of grace, 
and have often enjoyed it ; but I have not 
been so frequent, nor so fervent, in my ap- 
proaches to God, as I now see I ought to 
have been ; and that, I believe, is the reason 
why, though I am not unhappy, yet I do not 
enjoy a high degree of comfort in my afflic- 
tion." 

During the weeks that followed, he retain- 
ed the same tranquillity of mind, v/hile the 
elevation of his feelings and the degree of 
his delight in God progressively increased : 
often did he speak of his dehghtful commu- 
nion with the Father, and with his Son, Je- 
sus Christ ; and several weeks before his 
death, he remarked, in strong and pointed 
language, that his happiness in the exercises 



STEPHEN MORELL. 23 

of devotion was ^^unutterable." He advert- 
ed frequently in conversation to those great 
truths which constitute the glory of the gos- 
pel, and in which his mind was firmly estab- 
lished. Christ and his cross was all his 
theme. Although he was at this time evi- 
dently dishiclined to curious and speculative 
discussion, yet, when speaking of the divine 
glory of the Savior, and the efficacy of his 
death as an atonement for sin, he would, at 
times, pursue a train of forcible reasoning. 
'' I was at one time," said he, " much har- 
assed and distressed respecting the person of 
Christ, not satisfied to believe simply on the 
testimony of God, in the Scriptures, what my 
understanding could not comprehend. It was 
the pride of intellect. I ought to have con- 
sidered that God manifested in the flesh is the 
great mystery of godliness, and a mystery it 
must be to mortal minds, yet well attested. 
Dr. Price's WTitings are exceedingly insidious 
and ensnaring, particularly in representing the 
opinions of men n\ hose views of this subject 
are as wide as the poles, as being the same 



24 FAMILY MEMORIAL. 

in the main. Christ is God to me, is the 
idea on which I was dwelhng, and as such I 
receive him, and honor him. On close ex- 
amination, I find all the essential names and 
attributes ascribed to him, all the power of 
Deity exerted by him ; and, though I cannot 
comprehend the glorious mystery, I believe 
that he is God, not by delegation, but essen- 
tially God. Every man is required to honor 
the Son, even as, that is, equally as much 
as they honor the Father, but it would be 
impossible to do this without believing him 
to be essentially God, even as the Father. 
The ambassador of an earthly sovereign might 
be received at a foreign court, as a point of 
etiquette, with the same forms of respect as 
though he were the king himself, but the 
feeling could not be the same, and were I to 
receive the Lord Jesus Christ as God's rep- 
resentative merely, I might reverence and 
love him as such ; but I could not, it would 
be impossible, to honor him even as the 
Father, and yet we are commanded to do 
this." 



STKPHB:N MORELl.. 25 

Not less decided was his language on the 
subject of the atonement, and of the contin- 
ued intercession of the Divine Mediator, to 
which he often adverted as a source of con- 
solation, and to the influence of the Spirit 
which he fervently sought, and evidently en- 
joyed. 

I have been the more solicitous to advert 
to these great points of Christian doctrine, 
because the scenes which are now to be de- 
scribed, " Joy unspeakable and full of glory,'^ 
were most evidently the happy effect of a 
faith no longer to be shaken by vain imagina- 
tions, on this mystery of godliness. 

In the course of his protracted illness it 
is natural to expect that allusion would be 
frequently made to the Church at Norwich, 
over which he had been so recently ordained : 
*• What a privilege," said he upon one occa- 
sion, " will it be, if I am ever again permitted 
to address them ! how I shall enjoy my pul- 
pit ! I hope my preaching will be more 
spiritual than ever. I am learning experience 
in this school ! " At length, however, it be- 
3* 



26 FAMILY MEMORIAL. 

came but too evident that every such hope 
must be rehnquished. '' I think," said he, 
on the Saturday before his death, ^^ I shall 
never see Norwich again ; I have for some 
time thought that I shall lay my bones in 
your ground. I believe that my case is dan- 
gerous ; but I have trusted, and do trust 
in God. I have sincerely committed my soul 
into the hands of Christ, my Savior and In- 
tercessor. I have done it often, I have done 
it fei'vently ; and he has, I doubt not, accept- 
ed the surrender : so that I hope, (1 may 
say, I believe) that I am prepared to stand 
before my God. Nature recoils at the 
thought of death : it is awful ! it is solemn ! 
and it seems hard to have ev^ery earthly tie 
broken ! but I do not feel afraid to die ; and 
I know that this is not presumption." 

On the next day, his last earthly Sabbath, 
he was enabled in the morning to attend pub- 
lic worship. The text was, '^ It is good for a 
man that he should both hope and quietly 
wait for the salvation of God." In the even- 
ing of the same day, when all the family 



STEPHEN MORELL. 27 

were assembled, alluding to the subject to 
which he had listened with much comfort, he 
addressed us all in nearly the following 
w ords : "I have hoped for the salvation of 
Gcd, and still do hope ; but I must also wait, 
and I wish to wait patiently. My state now 
is that of the apostle Paul, when he said, 
^ To live is Christ, and to die is gain ; ' but 
he had peculiar reasons for the enjoyment of 
his hope, and the desire he expressed to de- 
part and to be with Christ ; he could not 
have a doubt after he had been caught up to 
the third heaven, and had seen unspeakable 
things. I too should like to glance at those 
glories ! Perhaps this may appear curiosity, 
but every thing here seems so low, so gross, 
so mean : to realize salvation requires strong 
faith, and the hope of it can only be conceiv- 
ed of by actual experience." This conversa- 
tion he closed, w ithout rising from his chair, 
with a deeply solemn and fervent prayer for 
himself and for us all. 

During the whole of the next day, Monday, 
he remained perfectly serene, speaking often 



28 FAMILY MEMORIAL. 

of the glory of Christ. " What a mercy It 
is," I said, ''that you have the knowledge 
of God to support you under this affliction." 
'' Yes," he replied, " and of his Son Jesus 
Christ ; I never like to separate them ; this is 
my great comfort ; I am astonished at the 
consolation I enjoy. In this corner, in this 
sick chair, 1 have been permitted to commune 
sweetly with my God, Some time ago, I 
was harassed with fears, and wdth some skep- 
tical feehngs, but, thanks to God, they are 
gone. I have been thinking to-day, I may 
perhaps yet live and pass a few years here in 
comfort and usefulness ; but I am willing to 
depart and to be with Christ. Oh ! were it 
not for the grace of God, and the atonement 
made by our Savior, and the faith by which 
I can rest upon it, I should be at this mo- 
ment most miserable." 

He conversed freely the next day in the 
same strain of tranquillity and hope. " As 
to earthly expectations," he said, '' every 
thing nov/ is embittered, and I have no wish 
to live. I have no other joy than that which 



STEPHEN MORELL. 29 

arises from the belief that my Redeemer is 
interceding for me, and I beheve, I think I 
can say, I feel assured, that I shall be accept- 
ed in him. I have often, with sincerity and 
earnestness, committed my soul to him, and 
he will in no wise cast out them that come to 
him. I do desire now to depart : there is no 
sin in indulging such a wish, is there ? As 
to this body, I am a poor weak creature, 
but " (with energy) '' strong, strong in re- 
ligion, strong in faith. My comforts are 
greater than I could have expected or con- 
ceived ; the happiness, the real joy I experi- 
ence, is to myself wonderful. I long, yes, I 
do long to depart and to be with my God 
and Savior, whom I fervently love ; yes, I do 
love him with a love — a love — " I said, 
Past expression. ^' Yes ! I could not find 
lanoTiaffe strono^ enouo-h — I am now lookino- 
forward to eternity without trembling, and 
why should I tremble ? My affections are 
not on the earth, they are in heaven — my 
soul is with Christ, the great Intercessor." 
He then again adverted to the glory of Im- 



30 FAMILY MEMORIAL. 

manuel. '' I know that Jesus Christ is real- 
ly, essentially God, not a God by delegation, 
the Scriptures reveal it, and I feel it. Take 
away that refuge, and all my delightful hopes 
would be lost, I should be entrusting my 
soul with a mere creature. Do you think I 
shall be permitted to exchange this inferior 
world for the glory above ? Is it not too 
great a favor ? " I replied, '' Do you doubt 
it? " ^' But," he answered, "^ there may be 
reasons in the mind of God why such a favor 
should not be granted at present ! " I told 
him I had understood him as meaning wheth- 
er it would be granted at all. '^ Oh, no ! " 
said he, ^^ I cannot doubt that ! I have 
committed my soul to the Redeemer ! But 
I long for the happy time ! I should be 
glad, if agreeable to his will, to break these 
trammels of mortality to-night, and to enter a 
state, spiritual, pure, refined, fit for an im- 
mortal soul. Mv aftections are in heaven." 

Addressing some friends on the subject of 
his approaching dissolution, he said, '^ I am 
prepared, and if there is a preference it is that 



STEPHEN MOKELL* 3i 

I should die : I should rejoice to kuow that 1 
might he permitted this afternoon to learn the 
mysteries of eternity." 

Seeing one of his brothers enter the room, 
he said : '^ I wish to converse with you a lit- 
tle, — it is my duty as a dying brother to ad- 
jure, to adjure you to attend to religion, 1 
want to know that you pray ! Do you pray ? 
Do you pray in reahty ? I do not mean, do 
you say prayers, but do you solemnly ask of 
God the forgiveness of your sins ? Do you 
love to pray to him ? Is it a burden or a 
pleasure to you ? I earnestly entreat you to 
attend to meditation, to think, to devote a 
portion of every evening to this exercise, re~ 
count the actions of the past day, this will 
be of infinite service to you." He would 
have added more, but his strength failed him. 

In the evening his mind was peaceful, and 
he often asked if it seemed probable that the 
Ix)rd would grant him so great a favor as to 
release him diat night, adding, with great 
calmness of mind, " I could wish and pray 
for it." 



3S FAMILY MEMORIAL, 

The next day^ which was his last, he came 
down stairs as usual, and frequently conversed 
in the same delightflil strain, full of tranquilli- 
ty and hope. We could all perceive, every 
hour, increasing debility. In the evening, he 
sat up later than usual, freely and fluently 
prolonging the conversation, and without much 
fatigue. After some allusion to his temporal 
affairs at Norwich, and giving directions re- 
specting the disposal of his books^ he added — 
^^I have now nothing — nothing on earth to 
make me anxious — I have been enabled to 
give up all — I have been standing on a nar- 
ix)w slip of ground — eternity behind — eternity 
before — it is awful ! — it is solemn to plunge 
into eternity ! but I do not fear it ! — I know 
the strong arm on which I can rely. I luiow 
the wing on which I shall be borne. ^' Some 
reference being made to the Savior in reply 
to the above remarks, he said — ^^I want no 
other proof of the Divinity of Christ than the 
power by which he has kept my soul, and will 
keep it until the day of his glorious appear- 
ing. I must always connect with his name 



STEPHEN MORELL. 33 

the great atonement be has made for sin, 
whereby he has cleansed my soul, deeply 
dyed m depravity and guilt. I have^commit- 
ted my soul to him. I hope I have not de- 
ceived myself. No, I feel that I have not ! 
I am not a hypocrite — I am sure I am not — 
I should w ish once more to repeat this act of 
faith, and then, if it please God, to say — Fare- 
well ! I should like to understand the secrets 
of eternity before to-morrow morning." 

HIS DESIRE WAS GRANTED. 

After he had retired, he slept a few hours, 
but somewhat disturbed. When he awoke, 
he was more restless, both in mind and body, 
than he had ever been before. ^^ Yet I have 
trusted in God," said he, '^and I will trust in 
him to the last." Then I said — ''He will 
never forsake you." ''I hope he will not," 
he replied, ''but I have not the comfort I en- 
joyed yesterday. That was a happy day !" 
He then offered a fervent prayer to God that 
the cloud which hung over his mind might be 
removed. A friend dearly beloved by him- 
4 



84 iAMlLY MEMORIAL* 

self and by us all^ who was present, requested 
me to pray ; which I was enabled to do in the 
enjoyment of strong hope* He soon became 
composed and happy. Grasping my hand, 
he said — ^'I am better, I am comforted." In 
a little time, with a serene smile upon his pal- 
lid countenance, he expressed the highest 
delight and confidence in God: '^Blessed 
God ! " he exclaimed, with a strength of voice 
which filled us all with amazement. ^^ Never 
— never can I praise thee sufliciently for what 
I experience at this moment ! This great 
joy ! this holy joy ! this unspeakable joy ! It 
is exquisite ! none can know, none can con- 
ceive the happiness I possess, the peace with 
which my soul is filled, but the sincere disci- 
ple of Jesus Christ my Intercessor. I now 
feel that I love God with a fervent, spiritual, 
holy love. Is this delusion ? Is this enthusi- 
asm ? No ! it is all real. Dear Savior! give 
me strength to bear even joy, such joy.'' He 
rested for a few moments ; and then address- 
ing me in a lower tone, as though he had been 
ieflecthig on llie language he had just uttered. 



STEPHEN MORELL. 35 

he said — ''One Avould almost think this the 
language of enthusiasm, but it is not ; it is sol- 
id and genuine. But oh ! " again raising his 
voice, ''what mercy and grace, that /, a poor 
sinful, rebellious creature, should be permitted 
to experience such sublime delight ! " I said 
it appears almost too much for the body. — 
"Not too much,^^ he rephed, "but enough, 
and yet this is but a glimpse. Oh ! is there 
no outlet, whereby one may pass to that joy- 
ous state I have before me ? Is this — this the 
happy time — shortly — within a few hours — 
when I may be permitted to flee from this 
troublous world?" Exhausted nature now 
fell asleep, then, shortly after, awaking, with 
great composure, and with a smiling look, he 
took his final leave of those dearest to him up- 
on earth, in these words : — "I commend you 
to God the Judge of all, and to Jesus the 
Mediator of the new covenant ! " He contin- 
ued for a short time raising his hands at inter- 
vals, and with a countenance expressive of 
holy rapture — unmingled happiness. The 
coue^h returned : from this paroxysm his 



36 FAMILY MEMORIAL. 

Strength could not recover ; and, after an 
ineffectual effort, he laid his head upon his 
pillow. One short struggle, and all was 
still. 

So fades a summer cloud away, 

So sinks the gale when storms are o'er; 

So gently shuts llie eye of day ; 
So dies a wave along the shore. 



I AM unwilling to withhold the following 
extracts from a letter WTitten by the subject 
of the preceding narrative, a few months be- 
fore his decease. It was addressed to a young 
friend on the death of his only sister. The 
train of his own reflections at that time, com- 
pared with his actual experience so shortly 
afterwards, will powerfully strike the mind of 
every attentive reader. 



STEPHEN MORELL. 37 

Norwich, May 4, 1824. 

My dear Friend : 
The severe and painful dispensation of Di- 
vine Providence, which has deprived you of a 
beloved sister, and covered a whole family with 
mourning, induces me to take the liberty of ad- 
dressing you by letter, not so much with the in- 
tention of pointing out the sources of consola- 
tion, opened up in the inspired volume, as of 
conveying to you the assurance of my warmest 
sympathies, and most unaiiected feelings. 

When the heart is wounded by grief, and the 
spirit overwhelmed with sorrow, friendship is 
bound to mitigate the pang by expressing its own 
sentiments of commisseration ; and if this be 
the duty of a merely ordinary friendship, much 
more does Christianity render the same obliga- 
tions imperative, commanding us to ^' weep with 
those that weep." Should these lines tend, in 
the smallest degree, to blunt the edge of sorrow, 
to relieve the pressure of painful emotion, to 
promote a spirit of calm resignation, or to con- 
vey repose to a sufTering mind, my object will 
be abundantly answered. Events like those 
which have happened in your family are indeed 
4* 



38 FAMILY MEMORIAL. 

acutely felt ; nor does the strongest confidence 
in God, or the most eminent attainments in re- 
ligion forbid our tears to flow. The gospel, by 
providing us with '^ strong consolation, '^ does 
not take away the poignancy of natural feeling, 
or check the play of those weeping sensibilities 
with which our nature is endowed. 

It does not impart a stoical indifference 
which is contrary to nature, but it whispers the 
soft words of hope, it unfolds the scenes of im- 
mortality, it carries our thoughts to '^ Mount 
Zion, the city of the living God," to the multi- 
tudes of the redeemed who are released from all 
their sorrows, whose spirits are enrobed with 
glory, and whose lives are adoration and praise. 
Nature feels, and weeps, and mourns, but faith 
looks forward to another world, and thus raises 
us above nature. Thus, my dear friend, I trust, 
it is with you and your afflicted family. The 
mother sinks beneath the stroke, but the Chris- 
tian rises above it ; the father conceals not his 
silent anguish, the brother weeps with bitter- 
ness of soul ; the many relatives of the dear de- 
parted, now an angel of light and blessedness, 
mingle their tears with his ; but in all these in- 
stances may I not say that the saint is trium- 



STEPHEN MORELL. 39 

phant, and that religion enables you to endure 
the heart-rending separation, giving a tinge of 
plaintive pleasure to the gloom wherewith every 
countenance is marked ; and affording to you 
all, a full and unwavering certainty that broth- 
ers and sisters, parents and children, relatives 
and friends, part only for a time, and will meet 
again in that land of celestial glory where 
** adieus and farewells are a sound unknown ?'* 
It is, it must be a trying separation, in your 
case : and, believe me^ I have wept for you, 
though unable to weep with you. It is hard 
thus to suffer tiie violent rending asunder of 
those fond and familiar ties, which a sister's af- 
fection had entwined around a brother's heart. 
It is unutterably distressing to see the tenderest 
object of our regard sinking down into the cold 
arms of death ; to watch the feeble struggles 
of expiring nature ; to mark the last faint flush 
of life ; to gaze upon a mass of bloodless clay, 
exclaiming — '^ That icas my sister." 

The thought follows me continually — ^' She 
is gone forever." Dear departed saint ! neith- 
er relatives nor friends ought to mourn her en- 
trance into glory ; our loss is her gain. We sigh 
over the former ; may God enable us to rejoice 



40 FAMILY MEMORIAL. 

with her in the latter ! For there is a bright 
side even to the darkest scene, and the death- 
bed of the just is a hallowed spot, radiant with 
celestial glory, and approaching to the very out- 
skirts of immortality. He who took upon him 
our nature submitted also to our infirmities, and 
entered within the cold grave ; thereby qualify- 
ing himself for sympathizing with his people 
even in the solemn article of death ; and spread- 
ing the sweet radiance of hope over the tomb, 
which he himself passed through, and made the 
gate of heaven. By dying, he abolished death, 
and by rising again, and ascending to his Fath- 
er and our Father, to his God and our God, he 
hath brought light and immortality to light. In 
Adam we all die, in Christ w^e are all made 
alive. The image of the earthly is graven upon 
perishable materials, which soon crumble into 
ruins ; it is a vapor, which the morning sun dis- 
pels, a mere shadow, vanishing away into noth- 
ingness ; but the image of the heavenly is a glo- 
rified resemblance to the quickened body of our 
Redeemer painted upon the heart in celestial 
colors that will never fade, lasting as eternity 
itself, and durable as the throne of the everlast- 
ing God, Oh ! what grand and astonishing 



STEPHEN MORELL. 4i 

prospects does the 'Svord of life" open before 
our minds I and how do these liopes ot immor- 
tality by Christ, a risen Savior, mitigate the 
pang of sorrow, and cahn the throbbing hearts 
of disconsolate mourners! 

The spirit which so lately animated its tene- 
ment of corruption, which gave lustre to the 
eye, loveliness to the features, and expression 
to every movement, has only burst from an 
earthly prison, expanded its wings of light, and 
flown away to kindred spirits of purity and love : 
** Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord ! '' 
they sleep in Jesus, they awake in his glorious 
likeness, they sing the anthems of immortality. 
One moment shuts the door of mortal frailty, 
and opens the gate of eternal blessedness. How 
astonishing the change effected at the instant 
of dissolution I The expiring saint looks around 
her upon the countenances of grief and sadness 
which stand waiting her exit with breathless 
anguish ; she beholds their tears; she listens to 
their broken and suppressed sighs ; she is con- 
versant only with pains and groans, and expiring 
shivers ; she feels the mistiness of death spread'- 
ing over her eye; earth recedes ; its mournful 
objects swim indistinctly before her eyes ; one 



42 



FAMILY MEMORIAL. 



dying struggle ; one convulsive effort ; and then 
— ^^in a moment — in the tv^ankling of an eye" 
— what ravishing scenes of glory burst forth to 
view I A single point of time, a space less than 
a moment, has shut out the frailties of mortality 
and introduced her to the dread mysterious sub- 
limities of another world. 

You, my dear friend, saw the last moments 
of a beloved sister, but you were not privileged 
to behold her commencing glory : you saw not 
the angel convoy waiting to receive her eman- 
cipated spirit ; you saw not the beam of light 
w^hich broke in upon her mind, as the last deep 
sigh left mortality behind : you saw not her ce- 
lestial extacies when greeting spirits hailed her 
entrance into heaven ; you saw not her raptur- 
ous smile when, landed on the shores of immor- 
tality, she gazed upon the person of her beloved 
Savior, passed through the thronging crowds of 
the blessed, 

" And meekly took the lowest seat. 
Yet nearest her Redeemer's feet.'^ 

Had you seen these spectacles of wonder, 
could you have lamented her death ? could you 



4 



STEPHEN MORELL. 43 

have wished to recal her from such entrancing 
joys ? If the Bible be true, these are not fic- 
tions, but glorious realities, and though not ac- 
tually beheld by mortal eyes, yet they are as cer- 
tain as if your bodily senses had been conver- 
sant with them ; for they rest upon the veracity 
of that God who cannot lie, and they are con- 
firmed by the dying experience of those who 
sleep in Jesus. ^'We are come unto Mount 
Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the 
heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable 
company of angels, to the general assembly and 
Church of the firstborn which are enrolled in 
heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to 
the spirits of the just made perfect, and to Je- 
sus, the Mediator of the new covenant." — 
'* Wherefore, comfort one another with these 
words." 

Your sincere friend, 

Stephen Morell. 




L^TITIA MORELL. 

Scarcely had two years passed after the 
affecting, though merciful scene of the prece- 
ding narrative, when our apprehensions were 
awakened, by the appearance of consumptive 
symptoms, that his sister L^titia would 
quickly follow. She was in her seventeenth 
year, and on a visit far from home, when the 
event of her brother's death took place. She 
hastened back to attend his funeral. She felt 
much, but was able to bow with submissive 
cheerfulness to the will of Heaven, and it was 
little apprehended then that she would herself 
so soon become the victim of disease and 
death. In the month of February, 1827, the 
designs of Providence began to be developed, 
and after a few weeks her situation became 
such as could leave no doubt of the result. It 
was not expected that a frame, always deli- 
cate and now greatly weakened by disorder, 
could be sustained through the changing sea- 



L^TITIJL MORCLL* 45 

sons, and nearly to the expiration of the year. 
Such however was the good pleasure of God ; 
and the long season of expectation was also 
a season of profitable instruction, and joyful 
hopCe 

From a child, she had known the Scrip- 
tures ; and, at a very early period, she seem- 
ed to love the truth, and to hve much under 
its influence. No time or circumstances can 
be referred to, as being the commencement of 
her religious life, but her character had now 
assumed that decided form which encourag:ed 
the belief that she was indeed *^boni of God.'^ 
In the month of December, 1 824, being then 
seventeen years of age, she gave herself up 
publicly to the Lord and to his church. She 
was, for two months after the commencement 
of her illnp>s, totally unaware of its character 
or tendency, and although she could discover^ 
from the many hints that were dropped., the 
apprehensions of her family, and concluded 
that probably some danger attended her disor- 
der, she still remained unconscious of its really 
threatening aspect^ until the fact was faitiifully 
5 



46 FAMILY MEMORIAL. 

and expressly communicated to her by one of 
her sisters, early in the month of May. "I 
hope my dear Laetitia/' said her sister, ^^you 
will not be distressed, when I tell you that we 
fear your disorder is consumption." "No," 
she replied, "I hope not; but your informa- 
tion surprises me : I did not think that I was 
consumptive : and I am afraid that I cannot 
think of death without some alarm." No al- 
teration appeared in her general demeanor as 
the result of this conversation ; she retained 
her usual cheerfulness, and was enabled to 
cast herself afresh upon that Redeemer to 
whom she had long before committed her 
eternal interests. 

Finding her one morning in tears, and ap- 
prehending distress of mind, I said — "Why 
do you weep ? you know the promise — All 
things shall work together for good to those 
that love God." ^ " Yes ! " she rephed ; " I 
know that this affliction is for good ; I have 



*The passage is not literally quoted, but the 
sense is obvious. 



L^TITIA MORELL. 47 

found it so already ; I do believe in Christ, 
and know that salvation is in him ; but what 
distresses me is, that I do not feel powerfully 
even what I do know and believe. With re- 
spect to this affliction, I think I do not at all 
murmur, and I earnestly beg for patience and 
submission." The effect of this conversation 
appeared to be very important to herself; it 
was blessed of God, and after this time, during 
the long season of protracted illness, she was 
permitted to enjoy uninterrupted tranquillity 
and peace. 

"I am not filled," she said upon one occa- 
sion, '^with dread in the prospect of death, 
neither am I free from fear ; I have long un- 
derstood the way of salvation as it is taught in 
the Bible. I know all that is necessary, and 
I have done, as to outward duties, all that is 
needful ; but there has been often so little feel- 
ing and impression that I doubted my sinceri- 
ty ; yet I have always intended to be sincere, 
and I do hope that I am so ; I have earnestly 
prayed to God to make me so, and then I 
know that all is well." 



48 FAMILY MEMORIAL. 

There vvere few circumstances throughout 
the period of this lengthened afHiction, which 
afforded us more satisfaction than the thank- 
fuhiess she often expressed, and even the as- 
tonishment she seemed to feel, that her suffer- 
ings were so light. '^I cannot complain/' 
she said: ^'God is dealing so kindly with 
me ! '' The question was put, — '' Are you not 
distressed at being thus confined in the house, 
and so young?" ^'One evening/' she an- 
swered, '-T had such feeling, v/hen I saw my 
sisters preparing for a walk : it was very 
pleasant weather, and I thought, how I should 
enjoy it, if I could walk with them, and the 
tear dropped from my eye : I know it was 
very \\ rong ! I am thankful it was but a mo- 
mentary impression, and I have not been so 
disturbed since, I now feel quite resigned," 
In reply to the common inquiry whether she 
was com.fortable in her mind, she replied — ^'I 
am very comfortable, but I do not enjoy those 
strong consolations Avhich many have experi- 
enced in my situation. It is, I think, because 
I do not place confidence enough in God ; i 



LJETITIA MORELL. 49 

have not sufficiently estimated his goodness ; 
and I have thought that very great enjoyment 
was too much for such an one as I am to ex- 
pect, hut I have sought the presence of God 
more earnestly of late, and for several days 
have been enabled to think more of the Sa- 
vior's love ; my mind has been attentively 
and closely engaged, and I feel very happy. 
I used to dread very much being awake for 
some hours together, in the night ; but now I 
do not regard it, and frequently am able to 
meditate delightfully. I have sometimes 
thought of God and heavenly things till I long- 
ed to be there. What a joyful state heaven 
must be ! How delightful, to be really able 
to praise God ! We know nothing about 
praise here. It now appears to me a great 
privilege for young people to be taken away 
from the snares and sins of the world ; it is 
the thought of being entirely free from corrup- 
tion that renders the thought of heaven so tru- 
ly delightful ! " 

Towards the month of September, the dis- 
order, which had for eight months been grad- 



50 FAMILY MEMORIAI-. 

ually impairing the frail tabernacle, assumed 
a more threatening form. We all apprehend- 
ed that a very few weeks would close the 
scene on which our eyes had so long been fix- 
ed with intense and anxious interest. Some 
branches of the family had made arrangements 
for a short journey, which she had herself an- 
ticipated some months before, with great and 
pleasurable expectation. ''Ah 1" she said to 
m.e, being now in an exceedingly weak state, 
*'I once hoped to enjoy this excursion; it is 
a merciful exercise of Divine Providence that 
conceals from us our disappointments. If we 
could have foreseen the circumstances under 
which I am now placed, it might have been 
an occasion of great grief to us all. I hope 
ray sisters will not be disappointed, but as to 
myself I feel not regret ; I am looking for 
death without fearing it, and I had rather be 
as I am." 

Anxious to ascertain the full import of this 
language, which, even allowing for the conso- 
lation of faith so evidently enjoyed, appeared 
very strong and extraordinary, I said — '-Do 



L,-«TITIA MOilELL 6l 

you really mean that you prefer your present 
state of affliction and weakness, to the society 
and enjoyment of a pleasant journey, and a 
visit to friends whom you so much love?" 
**'Yes/' she replied, ''I do prefer it with my 
prospects. I am afraid of confidence, but I 
could almost say, I am sure that all is well ; 
I have trusted in God, I have committed my 
soul to the Lord Jesus Christ, and I know in 
whom I have believed : I have been so sup- 
ported, and even comforted, in my affliction, 
that it can hardly be called a chastisement. 
It was appomted to purify me ; though I have 
been sincere in faith, I was not fit for another 
world ; but God always purifies his children 
that they may be made meet for the promised 
inheritance.'' A few days after this conversa- 
tion, when suffering under extreme debility, she 
said — " I am hardly able to pray ; and am total- 
ly unable to keep my thoughts fixed ^vlth at- 
tention, on any one subject, but hojye does not 
leave me ; Satan, I believe, attempts to deprive 
me of it by suggesting that 1 am under a delu- 
sion ; but I believe my heart is sincere ; I think 



5li FAMILY MEMOKIAL. 

I am not deceiving myself. If it be a sign of 
real religion to delight in hearing and talking 
of Godj and Jesus Christ, and heaven, I have 
that evidence, for 1 do greatly enjoy such con- 
versation, and desire no other. A kind friend 
asked me if I could find any thing to amuse 
me ; it was very tender and thoughtful : I 
could have replied, The Bible is my only 
amusement, and it is enough." 

Life was still protracted beyond expecta- 
tion ; having passed nearly through the month 
of October, the impression became fixed upon 
her own mind, that the desired moment was 
at hand. ^' I think," she said, with evident 
gratification, ^^a very short time now must 
bring me to my grave!" She conversed 
much on the subject of Divine love and future 
glory, anticipating the heavenly state as being 
a constant scene of activity : '- This," said she, 
*'is a view of future and eternal things on 
which I love to meditate, so far as I am able. 
I have been to-day examining my hope ; and 
I find that I can abide by it ; it is a good hope, 
and I have no fear that my God will forsake 



LiETlTIA MORELL. 33 

me." She alluded frequently to the days of 
her childhood, and the seasons of impression, 
\\hich were now^ had iii remembrance with 
much advantage : often did she express her 
thankfulness that the Lord had inclined and 
enabled her to seek him in very early life. 
When conversing with her on this subject, and 
the probable benefit of keeping a record of our 
o\\ n feelings and progress in knowledge and 
holiness, she said — ^^I began some years ago 
to keep a diary ; it had been strongly recom- 
mended ; but I have burned it lately, because, 
though I was most anxious to insert in it noth- 
ing but the truth, 1 think it is almost impossi- 
ble to w rite even the truth in relation to re- 
ligious enjoyment, wdthout seeming to convey 
in it something more than the exact reality, 
and I feared lest any persons should hereafter 
see what I had written, and think too highly 
of me." 

Notwithstanding our own expectation of a 
speedy removal, it was the pleasure of God to 
sustain the expiring powers of life till the mid- 
dle of November, 1827. 



54 Family memorial. 

Nature was too nearly exhausted during 
the last fortnight, to allow of much continued 
intercourse ; she often expressed her joy that 
the warfare would be so soon accomplished ; 
and especially referred to the lively impres- 
sions of the love of Christ which cheered her 
soul. ^^I am too weak," she said, ^^to med- 
itate much ; often when I try to pray, my 
mind becomes weary ; but there is a promise 
that all things shall work together for good, 
and I shall find it so, when once I am landed 
on the heavenly shores ; yet I often enjoy 
now a sweet distant glimpse of heaven. A 
thought darted upon me not long ago — ^ What 
if all should not be right ! ' for death is awful, 
but I said — Why should I fear ? God is faith- 
ful, and I have committed myself to the care 
of the Lord Jesus Christ. How gently the 
Lord is dealing with me ! I suffer but little 
in body, and am perfectly comfortable in mind. 
If I had strength to show it, you would per- 
ceive that I am very cheerful in my spirits." 
This was indeed very satisfactorily evinced, 
for her countenance uniformly expressed ea» 



LJETITIA MORSLL. 55 

joyment, and every person that visited her 
was received with a smile. 

Alluding to the privileges of the Lord's day, 
(it \yas I think, her last Sabbath,) she said— 
" It is many weeks since I could enjoy a Sab- 
bath here ; but I comfort myself ^^hh the 
thought that I shall soon begin an eternal one. 
I should be glad to be released, if it were the 
Lord's will, immediately. Who knows ? per- 
haps I may awake to-morrow in heaven ! and 
we shall be separated for a very short time • 
It will not appear so long to me as to you ! 
^ou will be measuring time by days, and 
nights, and weeks. I shall have no time to 
measure. Mine will be one eternal Sabbath. 
I was just thinking, amidst all my weakness 
Clmst IS precious still: if I had not known 
him, what could have been my situation now > 
I should have been looking for more sorrow' 
instead of a perfection of bliss." ' 

On the morning of the 12th, when I enter- 
ed the room, she seemed to suffer much, and 
to abor hard for breath, but she looked at me 
and smiled. " Well, my dear girl," I said, 



56 rAMlLY MEMOMJL* 

-' you appear comfortable. " '' I am happy ! ^^ 
she replied^ ^^but can hardly keep life in me ; 
I am not afraid hovrever that God will forsake 
me ; I feel assured that he loves me, as I hope 
that I have been taught to love him ; how 
good he is to me ; he has not once hidden his 
face from me !" In the course of this day, 
seeing her atilicted mother in tears^ she ex- 
claimed with considerable exertion of voice— 
^^ Mamma! why do you weep? I am not in 
much pain ; consider ho^^' greatly many per- 
sons suffer ; mine cannot be called sufFeringj 
and I shall hardly be sensible of death ! It 
will be but one gasp ; and in a moment I shall 
know the happiness of heaven.'' ^^I cannot 
help feeling," her mother replied, '^ though I 
am thankful that God has prepared so many 
of my children for himself: Avhen you are gonCj 
I shall have five of you in heaven." ^* Yes ! " 
she replied, ^^and all through Christ. I shall 
meet my brother, and ," mentioning sev- 
eral young friends by name. She continued 
through the following night frequently sinking 
as though life was at its last ebb, yet express- 



LjETITiA MOilELL* 5t 

ing now and then her comfort in the Lord^ 
*^ I do not, I cannot feel low spirited." About 
eight o'clock in the morning of the 13th, she 
became exceedingly restless, though she said 
that she suffered no bodily pain* It was evi-' 
dently the approach of death. I said to her 
— ^'^This you know is the last enemy ; and 
you have had many worse enemies than death 
to encounter." She replied m her last vvords 
— '^ I am not afraid of death 1 but I would not 
pray to be released before the Lord's time ; 
he knows the proper time ! I beg for pa- 
tience." She continued more than an hour 
breathing with difficulty, and then, fetching a 
deep sigh, or, to use her own expression on 
the preceding day, '^one gasp," — she depart- 
ed'. 



6 



GEORGE JAMES MORELL 

Another interval of three years was gra^ 
Ciously allotted to us by the favor of Provi- 
dence, to enjoy the comforts of the domestic 
circle undisturbed, to review the scenes which 
were past, but not forgotten ; and to seek, as 
1 do hope we all did^ those supplies of heaven- 
ly grace which alone can secure a useful lifa^ 
and a victorious death. So far as our obser- 
vation could form a judgment, there appeared 
to be nothino: as to the health of the remaininof 
branches of the family to awaken our appre- 
hensions that we should soon again renew 
those feelings which although so mercifully 
supported by the abundance of grace, are in 
no shght degree sorrowful. Faith may teach 
us to say, It is the Lord, but nature will weep* 
The last year, ISSO, opened upon us with a 
smile ; but not two months had elapsed, before 
those symptoms of debility began to appear, 
which in the full recollection of former events, 



GEORGE JAMES MORELL. 59 

excited painful suspicion that another son, 
George James, would soon fall the victim of 
disease. 

Having been of a very diffident and reserv- 
ed disposition, he passed the few years of his 
life without attracting much observation. He 
was fond of reading, and, during the last two 
or three years, spent much time m retirement, 
studying works of general usefulness, and, as 
we afterwards discovered, writing scraps of 
poetry and other pieces of a more grave and 
lengthened description. We could not, how- 
ever, ascertain, by conversation or by any oth- 
er means, what his character really was with 
respect to religion. His general conduct was 
conscientious, and we had reason to believe 
assuredly, that he read the Scriptures habitu- 
ally, and maintained the practice of private 
prayer. 

The state of his mind at this tijne may be 
seen in the following short extract from some 
of his numerous papers found after his decease. 
It was written when his thoughts were occu- 
pied with the prospect of business. ^^I am 



60 FAMILY MEMORIAL. 

now about to be ushered into the tide of life : 
O may God give me grace to bear all the little 
difficulties I must expect to meet with, in a 
true Christian spirit ; and, above all things, 
may he enable me to exercise always that 
sweet temper which Christ displays so fully. 
Twenty years hence, and where shall I be !" 

After being apprenticed to a miller, he be- 
came more open in character, and of late very 
free in conversation, w^hen we soon found that 
his information, both with respect to religious 
and other subjects, was much greater than had 
been supposed ; but our highest gratification 
arose from the disposition he manifested, to 
exert himself as opportunity might offer in the 
cause of truth and rehgion. 

Alas ! how soon were the hopes that had 
just been awakened, arrested and dissipated ! 
In the month of February, he was obliged, in 
consequence of a threatening cough and great 
debility, to renounce his occupation, and ap- 
ply to the means which it w^as hoped would 
be efficacious, and accomplish a speedy recov- 
ery. Soon, however, it appeared that the 



GECtflGE JAMES MORELL. 61 

Lord's ways are not as our ways, nor his 
thoughts as our thoughts. The astonishingly 
rapid progress of a disease evidently consump- 
tive, quickly admonished us of the afflictive 
event, which after a few months we were to 
realize. 

A general outline of the scene which fol- 
lowed is thus given by one who was his con- 
stant attendant till the lamp of hfe was extin- 
guished. ^-During an affliction of more than 
three months' continuance, while suffering 
much from weakness and debility, no express 
sion of complaint nor of impatience was heard 
from his lips. But though uniformly tranquil 
and submissive, it was not till within the last 
few weeks of his life, that he expressed his 
confidence in that Savior to whom he had so 
often committed the keeping of his soul in the 
season of health. One evening when he was 
too weak to sit up, he requested one of us^ 
(his sisters,) to come to his bed-side ; and 
from that time he appeared to wish us all to 
know how happy he felt in the prospect of 
leaving this sinful world. ^' I feel convinced," 
6=* 



62 FAMILY MEMORIAL. 

said he, " that I shall never recover from this 
aiHictioiij bat I may live some months yet. I 
hope the Lord will give me patience to wait 
his time. When I first thought myself dan- 
gerously illj I felt that I was not prepared for 
death ; but now I can say, I had rather die 
than live. How much suffering I shall escape 
by being taken so early out of the world, and 
how much sin ! How delightful it must be 
to meet our dear friends in heaven ; 1 shall 
see there Stephen and Laetitia. Ah ! and 
Jesus the Savior. I shall be better off than 
you who remain here." When conversing at 
another time on the bliss of heaven, he said — 
^^ I conceive that when my spirit leaves the 
body it will fly immediately to Jesus, and he 
will present it spotless to his Father : it will 
then be perfect." He always appeared to 
wish for a speedy removal, though very care- 
ful lest he should express any desire hastily. 
One morning, with evident pleasure, he said, 
— ''My father says he does not think I shall 
linger very long ; I know impatience is my 
chief sin^ but I have prayed for patience, and 



GEOEGE JAMES MORELL. 63 

liope I am resigned to tlie will of the Lord.'' 
He was, during the last fortnight, particularly 
anxious to see many of his young friends and 
to converse with them on the vast importance 
of religion ; he usually urged the necessity of 
fervent prayer, saying — ^'I liave had many 
weeks for reflection, but perhaps this may not 
be granted to you." He always fixed his 
eyes stedfastly on those with w^hom he was 
conversing, as though anxious to see whether 
their minds were solemnly impressed. 

A few days before his death, he said, with 
perfect composure, — ^'I shall soon be laid in 
the Meeting Yard ; and sometimes fancy that 
I see you all following me, and standing at my 
grave ; I dare say you will feel it." ''Yes," 
it was replied, ''there will be many tears shed 
then." "But," said he, "there need not: 
you must think how happy my spirit will be 
then : I am now ready to pass through the 
swellings of Jordan. 

Could I hut cliuib where Moses stood. 
And view the landscape o'er; 



64 FAMILY MEMORIAL* 

Not Jordan's stream, nor death's cold floodj 
Should fright me from the shore. 

On the Lord's day morning previous to his 
removal, he said — ^'I have been thinking of 
that beautiful hymn, — 

When, O dear Jesus, when shall 1, 

Behold thee all serene ; 
Blest in perpetual Sabbath day, 

Without a veil between." 

Repeating the last line with great empha- 
sis, — '^ ' without a veil ! without a veil ! ' 
How delightful will it be to see Jesus ^ with- 
out a veil between.' I think I have obtained 
a viev>' of the celestial city by the eye of 
faith." 

He was troubled very much in the last few 
days of his life with shortness of breath, yet 
he was very cheerful : the day before his 
death, he said, with much emphasis — ^'^Oh! 
if I knew nothing of religion, I could not en- 
dure this." On the last morning, he said — 
^'I think I could sing." On being reminded 
of those lines : 



GEORGE JAMES MORELL. 65 

I can do all things, and can bear 
All sufibrings, if my Lord be there. 

^'O yes/' lie replied, '^'1 can sing that." 
The spirit was willing but the flesh was weak. 
In this happy frame he continued to the end 
of the conflict ; his merciful God did not for 
one moment forsake him : but made even the 
dark valley of death the entrance into everlast- 
ing life. 

In addition to the above account, many, 
very many, were the remarks made by him 
expressive of penitence, faith, and hope. 

At a very early period of his illness, I was 
anxious to converse with him decidedly on 
those subjects which were now become the 
only topics of real importance. He was not 
at that time very communicative ; he assured 
me that he was not distressed on account of 
his affliction ; he trusted his heart did not 
murmur, nor was he anxious to recover for 
the sake of life itself; but he wept much, and 
said — ^^ I fear I am not right." '^ What causes 
this fear?" I inquired. ^^I hope you have 



66 FAMILY MEMORIAL. 

been lookino; to the Savior, and can you not 
now trust entirely in him ? " " Yes/' he said, 
^^ I do ; I do ; but I fear I am not sincere ! I 
have loved God, and I do not love him as I 
ought to do." This conversation was contin- 
ued for some time, and occasionally renewed. 
His mind gradually became more tranquil, and 
he was frequently very cheerful ; but, as sta- 
ted before, it was not till within the last two 
or three weeks of his end that he was enabled 
to cast off all reserve. Then he began to con- 
verse very freely, and always satisfactorily, 
and welcomed with a smile every person that 
visited him, always conversing till he became 
exhausted. Every friend that called was 
struck with the placid and even happy ex- 
pression of his countenance. He greatly en- 
joyed the prayers which were frequently offer- 
ed by his bed-side, often uttering an exclama- 
tion of delight in the midst of the solemn ex- 
ercise, and frequently said im.mediately after- 
wards — ^' Oh ! glorious ! glorious ! " 

Almost daily he said — " How happy I feel ! 
it seems wonderful that any sinful creature 



GEORGE JAMES MOKELL. 6? 

should ever become so happy." On one of* 
these occasions, ^^ ith a view of examining the 
foundation on which this uniform feehng of 
enjoyment and hope was buih, I said— ^' And 
what renders you so happy ? Is it because 
you are better than many other persons?" 
"No!'' he rephed, "worse! I have been 
very wicked.'' " You have not been a wick- 
ed youth,'' I said, "in the usual sense of the 
term. You have not hved a wicked life." 
"I know it," he replied , "but, (and he wept 
much,) a wicked heart, wicked thoughts, 
wicked temper, and tliis distresses me." — 
"Yet," I said, "you are happy now." "I 
am, I am," was the answer, "for I know that 
I have committed my soul to Christ, and done 
it with great sincerity. Indeed, I do not, I 
cannot doubt." 

On the Saturday before his death, he ap- 
peared very considerably revived, many friends 
who visited him remarked the great alteration 
that had taken place. No favorable conclu- 
sions, however, were drawn from this circum- 
stance ; but in the evening when sitting by his 



t)b . J'AMILY MEMORIAL* 

side, I alluded to it^ and asked — -what would 
be his feelings if there were to appear any 
prospect of recovery? he replied — '*I do not 
know, I hope I should glorify God : but I 
think I should now feel disappointed, but there 
is no fear of it, the disorder is the same." 
Slioitly afterwards when in offering prayer in 
his behalf^ I entreated the Lord that even 
now, if it niight be his pleasure, health might 
be restored ; he whispered — '^ No ! Noi" and 
afterwards, when in continuance, the petition 
was presented that the downward path to the 
grave might be smoothed — or rather the path 
upwards. •• Yes ! "' he exclaimed, '^ upwards, 
upwards to heaven.'' He said afterwards that 
he had much enjoyed this season of devotion, 
but he did not wish me to pray for his life. 

The Monday following ^^ as his last day ; 
his weakness was extreme. We expected 
that a very few days would bring him down 
to the grave ; no one attempted to converse 
much with him, except now and then inquir- 
ing whether he still enjoyed invv-ard peace, to 
which he instantly replied that he was very 



GSORGE JAM£I MORELL. 69 

happy. In the afternoon, being informed that 
a friend from a distant place was visiting us, 
he desired to see him, and, exerting his feeble 
powers, he conversed freely, speaking of his 
joyflil hopes, and tlie precious Savior to whom 
he owed all his expectations. Our friend, 
after remaining with him more than an hour, 
took his final farewell. His breathing now 
became very distressing, and soon after six 
o'clock, perceiving him very restless, I asked 
him — ''Are you distressed at all in your 
mind?'' He replied, — "Xo.'' ^*Are you 
quite happy?" "'•Yes.'' "Then you are 
not afraid to die?*' "No." Ten minutes 
elapsed, and, without any convulsive struggle, 
he ceased to breathe, entering, we confidently 
hope, into the joy of his Lord. 



MARY ANN MORELL. 
communicated in a letter to a friend. 
My dear friend, 

At length it has become my mournful 
duty, ought I not rather to say, my merciful 
privilege, to give you the information which 
you are looking for, and daily expecting. 

My dear Mary Ann has obtained her final 
release fi'om all suffering : she has entered in- 
to perfect rest, awaiting, as it respects the 
mortal part, the glories of that day when proc- 
lamation shall be made — Time shall be no 
more. This event, to herself so happy, to us 
so severely afflictive, took place on the 4th 
inst. (September, 1833.) On the 29th she 
would have com.pleted her 21st year. Al- 
though she could rejoice, and did greatly re- 
joice in the God of her salvation, as we could 
satisfactorily discover from broken sentences 
and short ejaculations uttered with difficulty, 
her debilitv lias been so extreme for a consid- 



MARY ANN MORELL. 71 

erable time past, and the power of nature so 
exhausted, that we could not enjoy the privi- 
lege which we have been indulged with in 
former instances, of frequent and lengthened 
conversations. This would have been cheer- 
ing, but why should we complain ? we have 
the delightful recollections and convincing tes- 
timony of years to assure us of her well 
grounded hope in God, and her sincere faith 
towards our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Till \\ ithin the last two years, her health 
appeared to be firm, her natural disposition 
was cheerful, and the deep interest she took 
in the great cause of the Redeemer, especially 
of late, in the progress and prosperity of our 
Sabbath school, and in visiting and conversing 
with our poor neighbors, w as but a habitual 
expression of the direction of her mind, and 
its consecration to the Master whom she de- 
lighted to serve. 

In the early part of last year, 1832, she 
was for several months unwell ; not seriously 
ill ; but in the course of the summer, all the 
symptoms of disorder disappeared, except a 



72 FAMILY MEMORIAL. 

very slight cough which had not entirely left 
her. In the month of September, according 
to our usual custom, the children of the Sab- 
bath school were assembled together, and af- 
ter receiving the little attentions that are com- 
mon on such occasions, remaining perhaps 
nearly an hour in the open air ; then* poor pa- 
rents and many of our friends who were pres- . 
ent were addressed, and the teachers spent 
the evening with us, in our own house. This 
was a very delightful season to my dear child : 
her spirits were much excited, her energy ex- 
ceeded her strength. The day was bright, 
but cold ; and all the renewed symptoms of 
disease quickly appeared, which could not be 
arrested. 

An attack of haemorrhage a few weeks after- 
wards proved a signal of the sorrows that v>^ere 
to follow. During the winter, and until the 
month of April, 1833, she was a close prison- 
er, seldom leaving the room (our usual dwell- 
ing), but to retire to rest. She was generally 
cheerful throughout this long confinement, and 
the disorder, in its most threatening aspect, 



MART ANN MORELL. 73 

was SO considerably checked as to encourage 
in us all some hope of an ultimate recovery. 

This was the season on which we can now 
reflect with peculiar interest and unfeigned 
gratitude ; for although we could not deem it 
proper to converse with her on the subject of 
death, or to intimate our own apprehensions, 
which were never entirely removed, as to the 
result, she frequently adverted to it herself 
with great composure ; and even when her 
own expectations were most raised, she con- 
sidered her state as very precarious, spoke of 
her future life here, if she should be spared a 
few years, as most probably a state of perpet- 
uated sickness, and declared her unfeigned 
thankfulness to her Father above, for the 
needful and beneficial discipline under which 
she was placed. Frequently indeed, and 
sometimes with tears, she lamented her long 
and necessary absence from the house of God, 
especially as she lived adjoining the place she 
earnestly desired to visit. Yet she uttered no 
complaint, and often expressed her humble 
hope and unshaken confidence in the divine 



?4 FAMILY MEMORIAL. 

Savior with whom she had with unfeigned sin- 
cerity committed her soul. 

It was, you will naturally conclude, not a 
little afflictive to ourselves, that the hopes we 
had fondly indulged of some improvement in 
the advancing season were not realized ; the 
fatal disorder appeared to be rather, though 
almost imperceptibly, increasing at the time 
to which we had been looking forward with 
anxious hope for its removal. A change of 
air and scene was strongly urged by our med- 
ical friend ; and she spent a few weeks in a 
distant part of the country with a much en- 
deared associate. The several letters we re- 
ceived during this short interval yielded us no 
consolation, and on her return in July, the 
progress of emaciating disease was too appa- 
rent to allow the indulgence any longer of 
even a distant hope. 

She soon became fully sensible of her situ- 
ation, and declining any further efforts, with a 
view to recovery, spoke with great tranquillity 
and composure of her approaching dissolu 
tion. 



MARY ANN MORELL. 75 

From this tiinej early in the month of Au- 
gust, her powers of conversation ceased, but a 
sweet smile, which was seldom disturbed, suf- 
ficiently indicated the settled peace of her 
mind. In answer to my inquiries, made at 
several and distant tunes, she said that her 
mind was naturally too sensitive for this world, 
that she should not have been fit for this life 
had she been spared ; that every thing in 
which she was interested here created too 
much excitement ; that her desire of life was 
now entirely removed ; that her hope in 
Christ was firm and unmoved ; that she was 
not distressed with any clouds hanging over 
her mind, and that even when most afflicted 
A\ ith bodily suffering, her soul was joyful in 
the Lord. She said once to some young la- 
dies who visited her — "You perhaps think 
me unhappy, but I had rather be as I am than 
as you are." When a friend once asked — 
'• Is Christ precious ? " she said — " All in all." 

On the evening of September 3d, the last 
conflict was evidently approaching. She was 
unable to converse, but replied to our inquiries 



<0 FAMILY ME5fORIAL. 

with a slight motion of the head and a happy 
smile : having committed her to the Lord, in 
a very short prayer, I took my leave of her. 
Soon afterwards by her desire I was recalled, 
she grasped my hand with unusual firmness, and 
with a look of inexpressible satisfaction whis- 
pered her joy. Without expecting an answer 
I inquired wdiether she was happy, to w^hicb 
she replied, deliberately and audibly — "Papa, 
I cannot feel unhappy." For two hours she 
remained restless, but apparently not distress- 
ed with acute pain, and expired about three 
o'clock in the mornino*. 

I shall not attempt to describe our own feel- 
ings on an occasion so mournful, yet so satis- 
factory : my ow^n spirits have been exceed- 
ingly depressed. Yet the Lord is a strong 
tower. I will be glad in the Lord, and re- 
joice in the God of my salvation^ 



CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS. 

The few following suggestions are respect- 
fully but earnestly offered to serious conside- 
ration. 

First. The importance of preparation for 
death. A living man may indeed be wretch- 
edly capable of employing, and amusing his 
mind with numerous speculations on the great 
subjects of the Christian revelations ; but a 
dying man needs solid, well established truth. 
He cannot then conceal from himself the aw- 
ful fact that he is a degenerate creature, that 
he is accountable to the Judge of all, before 
whom he must shortly appear, for a most 
alarming accumulation of sins, which he has 
been heaping up against himself; and the 
question, which perhaps he has never before 
entered into with sufficiently awakened inter- 
est, now becomes deeply important — " How 
can man be just vv ith God ? Without a satis- 
factory answer to this momentous inquiry, 



73 FAMILY MEMORIAL. 

(and it can only be derived from the testimo- 
ny of God,) the review of life, even in the 
case of characters most distinguished by what 
is amiable and upright, will plant the dying 
pillow ^^'ith thorns ; or, if conscience should 
still fail to discharge its faithful duties, that 
must be wanting which is necessary to secure 
perfect tranquillity, and yet more, to cheer 
the soul just entering upon its eternal abode, 
with the bright histre of a '' hope full of im- 
mortality." It is an incontestable fact, that 
the record of God concerning his Son, which 
fixes our faith upon a Savior of divine power, 
and an atonement for sin of certa'n efficacy, 
has produced those spiritual and holy aspira- 
tions, and those elevations of joyful hope, 
which it were vain to seek among those who 
believe not in Christ as '^ God manifest in the 
flesh." 

It is a fact, that faith towards our Lord Je- 
sus Christ, considered as the divine and eternal 
Son of God, and our implicit confidence in the 
efficacy of his death, considered as sacrificial^ 
have effected in the solemn season of death. 



CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS. 79 

an exaltation of holy and joyful feeling not 
conceivable by any but eye and ear witnesses. 
The same ground of such happiness has been 
examined ; the only cause referred to by those 
w ho enjoyed it has been declared in short sen- 
tences full of meaning. " I know in whom I 
have believed ? I have committed the keep- 
ing of my soul to Christ ? I have often w itb 
sincerity, surrendered my soul to the care of 
Jesus ! Were it not for the knowledge 1 have 
of Christ, and the faith that rests upon him, 1 
should be at this moment most miserable, in- 
stead of most joyful !•' Such are the senti- 
ments and their eftects related in tlie preced- 
ing narrative s, and in those of a great cloud of 
witnesses, partakers of like precious faith. 

Now if such perfect peace, such superior 
and holy joy, in the prospect of death, has 
never been eflectecl by means of any other 
views of Christ, and his salvation, than tL'ose 
for whicli wc arc now pleading, we must in- 
fer llie a;)j)ropriateness of such a provision of 
grace to t!ic reception of man, and we must 
for the sarnc reasons conclude that it is ac<*.ord- 

' to t-, - will rf Gorl. 



80 FAMILY MEMORIAL. 

When I leam that God, in order to bestow 
his grace, proceeded in a way at once worthy 
of himself and secure to his creatures, has 
found a ransom, has provided and accepted an 
atonement for sin, equal to the claims of per- 
fect purity and infinite righteousness, and 
equal to the necessities of the most guilty of 
our race, I feel that a foundation of hope is 
laid on which a humble faith may rest with 
the fullest assurance, and that the only danger 
left is ^^ proud unbelief." In this faith we 
shall be sweetly constrained to live the life of 
the righteous, and our latter end will be like his. 
But dark must be the night of death, when 
the heart has rejected the certain but only 
refuge provided for sinners by the high author- 
ity of God ; and when the soul still guilty, 
and still unholy, cannot see the light of life. 

Secondly. The duty of submission, and 
even cheerful submission to the discipline of 
Providence is a subject that cannot be over- 
looked amidst the solemn events which have 
been brought under our notice. It surely will 
not be deemed arrogant, if the writer of these 



CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS. 81 

memorials venture to suggest to his fellow 
Christians a few remarks on this subject. It 
deeply concerns all persons, and his own mind 
has been in some measure trained by a course 
of unerring instruction. Resignation is not 
merely a most desirable attainment, but it is, 
beyond all dispute, a very decided and evi- 
tlent Christian duty. It may be said, and 
•most tmly, that we cannot command our own 
feelings ; but it shall be said too, and ought to 
be proved that religion can. The provisions 
of the gospel are made expressly to meet our 
circumstances of sin and ruin ; and, placed for 
a season in a world where nothing is certain 
but uncertainty, where nothing can be enjoy- 
vd with confidence, where the messenger of 
Cod is seen in every direction, going his 
rounds, and often breaking up the most united 
companies of mortals, we cannot resist the 
-conviction that the gospel is a treasure beyond 
value, and that, if any thing within our reach 
is important, it is, that our hearts be prepared 
to meet tlie will of God by the power ef foith, 
ond by tlic high acquisitions of genuine reh- 
8 



82 



FAMILY MEMORIAL. 



gion. But let it be well considered, the mo* 
ment of necessity is not the moment of prepa- 
ration : religion ought to be already in full 
and active operation. 

When the firmest bonds of nature are bro- 
ken, and friends are severed from each other, 
by the resistless sword of death, our only pos- 
sible refuge is to be able to say, from the heart, 
'^ Thy will be done : '' till we can do this real- 
ly, it will be utterly vain to seek rehef. But 
very much will depend upon the previous 
habit of the mind, and the means by which 
our mutual attachments have been nurtured 
and maintained. If our ardent affections have 
been indulged, without the salutary correction 
of religious principle, we may justly apprehend 
that the consoling influence of that principle 
will be wanting in the day of separation. 

The birth of a child ought to be the com- 
mencement of our care for his soul, of our fer- 
vent supplication that Christ may be fonned 
in him. We can pray for our children before 
we can instruct them. Should the lovely, 
idolized babe be smitten, far from enviable is 



CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS. 83 

the situation of the parent standing with flow- 
ing tears over the cold clay, the still beauteous 
form that cannot be reanimated, yet enduring 
the sharpest pang in the remonstrances of her 
own conscience, — the sad reflection — ^^Not 
one petition have I sent to Heaven for the 
soul of my child !" 

We must carry this train of reflection a lit- 
tle further. What if the God of all families 
should demand, not one child only, but a sec- 
ond, a third, and a fourth, in quick succession ; 
and these children not mere infants, but sons 
and daughters, who, though young, had be- 
come capable of receiving some instruction, 
and of feeling the solemnity of prayer ! Who, 
that has any Christian knowledge would not 
lament for the man — the father — the cruel 
father, whose sorrows on an occasion already 
sufliciently distressing, must be increased a 
thousand fold, amidst the bitter self-condemn- 
ing recollection of the years that have rolled 
away without having assembled these dear ob- 
jects of his affection together, to invoke the 
blessing of Heaven upon them, at the domes- 



84 FAMILY MEMORIAI.. 

tic altar. Is it thus^ O ye parents, is it thus 
that you hope to become prepared for the fiery 
trial ? Jehovah has said — " Him that honor- 
eth me I will honor, but they that despise me 
shall be lightly esteemed.'' But if we would 
be amply supplied with the means of a quiet 
spirit, a resigned heart, when our earthly 
hopes are blighted, and when nature would 
weep bitterly for our children because they 
are not, there is yet another step that must be 
taken while they remain under our training : 
we must endeavor to lead them into all truth. 
He who feels the infinite importance of all re- 
vealed truth himself, will not consent to leave 
his children uninstructed ; he will not be will- 
ing that they should die unacquainted with 
Him who is the way, the truth, and the hfe ; 
he will not withhold his attempts to direct 
their thoughts to the Redeemer of souls, un- 
der the pretext that man can do nothing, that 
the Lord knoweth them that are his, and that 
if they are not the fore-ordained children of 
God, no efforts within his power can avail any 
thing ; a mode of reasoning well suited to the 



CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS. 85 

deceived unspirltual heart, but which cannot 
overcome the energies of real Ufe in them that 
are born of God. 

Such a man having received the love of the 
truth, and enjoyed in many seasons of neces- 
sity its cheering influence, will not suffer those 
whose safety and happiness are dear as his 
own soul, to remain uninformed with respect 
to those great points of Christian doctrine 
which are, in his own estimation, the wisdom 
cf God and the power of God unto salvation : 
knowing the true state of human nature, prone 
to choose the evil and reject the good, he will 
not speculate upon tlie souls of his children, 
giving: their minds no direction of a relidous 
character, that they may at a suitable age ex- 
ercise an unbiassed judgment and form their 
uncontrolled opinions. 

A very little reflection must convince us 
that the case above supposed cannot be real- 
ized ; and if it were possible, it ought not to 
be attempted ; for if it is confessedly impor- 
icnt to bend the youthful mind into a posture 
favorable to common morality, with a view to 
8# 



86 fAMlLY MEMORiii..^ 

their character here, of how much greater im^ 
portance is it to train it in a direction favor a-^ 
ble to their safety and well-being hereafter* 
Nothing can so effectually quell the tumult of 
parental grief under the los^ of adult children^ 
as to see them perfectly resigned in the cer- 
tain expectation of death ; and to receive^ 
from their own hps^ testimonies of a rational^ 
because a religious joy in the well established 
hope of eternal life. We have seen, and do 
testify, that a confident faitl> in those truths 
which w^e are anxious to advocate, can accom-- 
plish this : and we hnow that if any conside- 
ration can soothe our sorrows, and render us^ 
cheerfully submissive under the rod of the Al- 
mighty, it is the consciousness of having been 
successfully instrumental in preparing those^- 
whose real happiness we should have studied ^ 
had they continued to live^ for the greater 
happiness of death. 

It may seem almost needless to suggest the 
necessity and the efficacy of prayer, especially 
in seasons of deep affliction. It is indeed a 
privilege too great to be valued by the rules 



CONCLUDING OBSliRVATlONS. B7 

of human calculation, that we are permitted 
to cast our burden upon the Lord, that we 
may hope to find effectual relief at the throne 
of grace. Yet how often is the attempt made^ 
how frequently is supplication offered with 
terror even to excess, for excess is more than 
possible in such cases as we are now contem-^ 
plating, but without effect ! Many Christians 
can remember a time, when, in prospect of* 
great apprehended calamity, their prayer wa^ 
ofiered night and day without ceasing, but 
their hearts were not comforted ; they could 
entertain no thought, present no petition, but 
expressive of an absolute desire that the dread-^ 
ful affliction might be averted. It was in re- 
ality, but an attempt, under the disguise of 
prayer, to dictate to the Supreme Ruler w^hat 
course to take. In the mean time^ the deep 
oppression, the heavy burden, remained un« 
moved and unrelieved ; such prayer was fruit^ 
less even to themselves. At length they dis- 
covered the arrogance of their own hearts, 
they deeply lamented the rebellious opposition 
that reigned within, their stubborn feelings 



88 FAMILY MEMORIAL. 

were subdued ; the same desires were indeed 
still entertained^ and still expressed before the 
Lord ; but it was in an humbled tone, with 
submission to the Divine will ; and now they 
were comforted. Prayer is always a duty, 
always a privilege ; but let us take heed how 
we pray. 

Seldom are Christians placed in a situation 
which so much requires all the aid of religious 
princlplcj or in which it can be so honorably 
and so ornamentally exhibited, as when they 
labor under the pressure of sorrows. This is 
the trial of their faith, the grand conflict be- 
tween the claims of afflicted nature, and the 
hio-her claims of reo-enerate nature ; often it is 
seen that the flesh is weak even when the 
spirit is wiUing, and when the heart does tru- 
ly submit. We should do violence to the de- 
mands of Christian charity and sympathy, 
were we to utter an indiscriminate censure of 
the feelings, perhaps too much encouraged, of 
those who are swallowed up with overmuch 
sorrow ; rather let us weep with them ; let us 
bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the 



CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS. 89 

law of Christ. Yet it must be remembered, 
that we have a character to maintain in the 
presence of God and of the world ; the char- 
acter of obedient and submissive children. We 
have resources of which unbelievers are utter- 
ly destitute ; we are in possession of advantages 
which if not neglected, are sufficient for every 
extremity ; obligations at once beneficial to 
ourselves and honorable to our God, are laid 
upon us ; and it should be a principal object 
with us to prove that we have not received 
the grace of God in vain ; all men should see 
that whatever may be the allotments of divine 
Providence, w^e are not, on the one hand, 
without feeling, nor, on the other, without 
gratitude. 

It does not accord with our profession of 
faith in the truths and hopes of the gospel, to 
suffer ourselves to become the centre where 
all joys or sorrows are to meet ; we may pos- 
sibly make ourselves of too much importance : 
in which case, were our fondest desires grant- 
ed, it would be to our hurt ; or should they 
be blighted, we might become inconsolable. 



90 FAMILY MEMORIAL. 

The '^sacredness of sorrow not to be dis- 
turbed/'' is an expression frequently used ; but 
upon serious reflection it will be found that the 
idea conveyed by it ought not to be entertain- 
ed ; it may produce much evil ; it is rather 
the language of the poet than of the Christian. 
No description of sorrow can be called sacred 
but that which is after a godly sort, a sorrow 
unto repentance not to be repented of, this 
will do much towards relieving the other, and 
we shall be prepared to adopt with gratitude 
the language of an eminent and inspired wri- 
ter. — '^It is good for me that I have been af- 
flicted." Not improbably, many persons ap- 
prehend that they would fail of the respect 
and affection justly due to their deceased 
friends, did they not mourn for them long and 
bitterly ; they imagine it is a duty to give 
themselves up to grief; there is a description 
of unhallowed pleasure in melancholy sorrow 
which they love. Let this feeling be careful- 
ly and honestly investigated, and it will, in 
many instances, be found to betray a sentiment 
very difterent from tliat which is expressed ; 



CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS. 91 

it will prove not so much a mourning for the 
dead, (especially where a good hope concern- 
ing them can be indulged,) as for the violence 
that has been done, by the hand of Provi- 
dence, to their own feelings. It may not be 
easy to suggest a course of reflection that 
would effectually relieve our minds in the case 
of those who have afforded but httle, if any, 
scriptural ground of hope, that they were pre- 
pared to meet their God. An immortal soul 
lost, is an awful thought, and if we hear the 
voice within reproaching us for our own neg- 
ligence, reminding us of the many efforts that 
might have been made, that ought to have 
been made, and persevered in, to awaken their 
feelings and lead them to a Savior, but which, 
alas ! were not made, we may well be over- 
w hehned with grief; but even then there is 
one thought to which we can have recourse 
with respect to those who are removed — they 
are in the hands of Him who is holy and just, 
and who cannot do wrong. 

Widely and mercifully different is the sit- 
uation of those who have been enabled to com- 



M iTAMlLir MEMORIAL. 

mit the bodies of their children or friends to 
the grave with well founded confidence that 
though absent from the body^ their spirits are 
present with the Lord. It is as much our du-- 
iy as our pri\dlege3 where such grace has been 
manifested, to wipe away the tear ; to dismiss 
the gloomy and sorrowing disposition which is 
but earthly, and to be joyful in the Lord. 
Our prayers have been that they might be 
born again ; that they might be endowed with 
a believing heart ; that they might be pre- 
pared by the Holy Spirit of God for the in* 
heritance of the saints in light ; and that they 
might be received into the everlasting habita^ 
tions of the faithful. And shall we be over* 
\vhelmed with sorrow because our own pray- 
ers are answered ? because the blessings 
which above all things we desired, have been 
granted ? If indeed we suffer our thoughts to 
dwell frequently and fondly upon the earthly 
state of tiiose who are nO longer of the earthy 
we shall find no rest, nor shall we attain to 
the grace of a humble and holy resignation-. 
If we labor to preserve in our recollection an 



CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS. 93 

L-xact and vivid impression of their general ap- 
pearance, of their features, of their smiles, of 
their individual peculiarities, if we resolve to 
liave something before our eyes, some little 
idolized reliques to aid our recollection of them 
in their earthly character ; if we reflect inces* 
santly upon their attainments, or their defeat^ 
cd prospects ; if we think what they probably 
would have been, where they would have 
been, what deliglitful intercourse might have 
been maintained had their days been prolong- 
ed, we attempt, though feebly and unavailing- 
ly, still to detain upon the earth what God has 
called to heaven ; we shall thus feed our own 
tears, and nourish the propensities of a com- 
plaining heart. Let us dismiss from our 
thoughts with pious resolution all that once 
belonged to them as creatures of earth ; let us 
attempt, by the aid of such information as God 
has been pleased to afford us, to realize them 
in their new capacities ; and think of them as 
spirits of light, and we shall be happy. 

Thirdly. Let the young listen with solemn^ 
awakened attention to the voice, at once ad* 
9 



94 FAMILY MEMORIAL. 

monitory and encouraging, which addresses 
them in these pages. It is their character, 
their preparation for an early death, if such 
should be the will of God, their eternal well- 
being, that is especially consulted by the wri- 
ter. How often have you read the important 
injunction — '^Remember now thy Creator in 
the days of thy youth!" How often has it 
been urged upon you amidst prayers and tears, 
by those who most loved you ; by some whose 
prayers are now ended, and whose last prayer 
was that you might become alive indeed unto 
God through Jesus Christ our Lord. You 
surely remember to this hour the solemn ex- 
postulation, the urgent advice, the fervent 
prayer, the impressive look of your parent, 
your brother, your sister, your friend, when 
preparmg to quit their earthly house, when 
eternity was already within their view. Have 
you revived this impressive scene ? Have 
you applied your minds devotedly to the great 
concern so powerfully recommended ? Were 
it not that an address is seldom made to the 
young, without reminding them that they are 



CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS. 95 

not too young to die, and that a tmth so com- 
mon may possibly be dismissed, as other im- 
portant truths are, because it is too evident to 
be disputed ; I would lead you to the youth 
of sixteen, the young woman of twenty, the 
young man of twenty-four, that you might re- 
ceive a salutary lesson from their dying Hps. 
It would not be easy for you to reject without 
effort, the urgent advice offered to you under 
such circumstances : your own hps would in- 
voluntarily whisper the awful truth, when re- 
tiring from the last interview, — ^^I too may 
die !" and however common the remark, you 
would feel it to be of no common importance. 
But leaving for the present this most awaken- 
ing reflection, it cannot be denied, except in 
the very spirit of infidelity, that the first step 
you ought to take with a view to life, as well 
as to death, is that of which you have seen 
the encouraging examples, in the preceding 
narratives ; it is — To surrender yourselves, 
thoughtfully and deliberately, to the care and 
guidance of the great Friend of man, to place 
yourselves voluntarily under solemn obligation 



96 FAMILY MEMORIAL. 

to follow the Lord fully. To this great duty 
you are invited, by every consideration that 
can be connected with the life that now is and 
that which is to come, while it is the only 
course that can be approved by the dictates 
of sound reason and the su^o-estions of a re- 
fleeting and enlightened conscience. 

Is it possible that young persons of common 
respectability and information, should sink into 
the low and ignoble ambition of being called, 
^^a young man of pleasure," ^^a young wo- 
man of fashion," '^a fascinating companion." 
You well know that the highest honor attain- 
able by mortals is to be the recognized sons 
and daughters of God ; and you know the 
conditions attached to so distinguished a priv- 
ilege ; — ^' Come ye out from among them, and 
be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not 
the unclean thing, and 1 will receive you, and 
will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my 
sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." 
Thus only can you maintain the character, so 
essential at once to your honor and to your 
safety ; should your days be prolonged upon 



CONCLUDIIfG OBSERVATIONS. 97 

tae earth, it will be any thing but gratifying 
in the evening of life to review the former 
times of vanity, and to attempt to enumerate 
the hours that were miserably destroyed in 
the circles of gaiety and fashion ; or, if you 
should then be sufliciently degraded in the 
scale of rational beings to be capable of in- 
dulging such recollections with a forced ap- 
probation, with a still lingering relish for what 
ouffht never to have been even tasted, it will 
be a lamentable example of the fatal power of 
the world to change the rational man into a 
mere sensitive animal. Can you be ambitious 
of such dignity? On the other hand, should; 
you be cut off in the midst of your days, in 
the flower and bloom of youth, you may as- 
sure yourselves that the remembrance of what 
you have been accustomed to call pleasure, 
will in no slight degree aggravate the sense of 
dying pain. This cup of sorrow will not be 
presented to you, this bitter mixture of misery 
and disgrace will not be forced upon you, if 
you begin and pursue your earthly course as 
every rational beino: ousht to do, bv a conse- 
9* 



9§ I'AMiLlf MIIMOHIAL. 

cration of your powers to Him in whom you 
live and move and have your being ; and by 
a solemn dedication of your soul to that Savior 
whose blood cleanseth from all sin^ whose gra- 
cious intercessions will never fail^ and who is 
able to keep what you commit to him until 
the day of his glorious appearing. 

Bat let it be supposed that you have been 
brought up under the eye of parents who cared 
for your souls, having the fear of God before 
their eye's, who therefore instructed you in the 
great principles of the Christian faith, and en- 
forced these principles by their example and 
by their prayers ; yours is no common privi- 
lege, and the natural inference is^ that you 
have not become associated with the openly 
profane^ and that you v/ould rather shun than 
seek the company of the gay trifler ; you 
\vould be both ashamed and afraid to be found 
in the crowd, among the lovers of pleasure 
more than of God* Do you therefore con^ 
elude that all is vrell ? do you imagine that 
there is nothing in your character, yea, in your 
Very nature, to occasion solicitude ? Are you 



CONCLrDlIfG OBSERVATIONS. 99 

satisfied that if your journey through the world 
should prove hut short, your interests in the 
eternal world are already secured ? Ah ! per- 
haps you have not taken a serious and scrip- 
tural view of this momentous concern. At- 
tend with solemnity to the following inquuies^ 
aad answer them successively to your own 
consciences. Have you not only refrained 
from much of the actual sin that is so thought-* 
lessly indulged, so ruinously beloved by many 
of your youthful neighbors ; but have you also 
with relii^ious decision o;iven yourselves to the 
Lord? Have you deeply felt your situation 
as fallen creatures ? Have you unfeignedly 
mourned over the impurities of your hearts ? 
Have you discovered that you, as well as oth- 
ers, need the benefit of the o:reat atonino; Sac-* 
rifice ? Have you actually made the requisite 
surrender of your souls to the only Almighty 
Savior ? You are sufficiently acquainted with 
the infallible instructions of the Gospel to 
know, that all hopes derived from the com-' 
parative morality of our lives, must prove de- 
lusive in the day of t)'iaL Indeed it is not 



100 txujLy memorial, 

without reason and the fullest conviction that 
you are entreated to examine yourselves care- 
fully on these principles. 

If there be a description of character that 
may justly awaken at once our affection and 
our regret, it is that of the steady young man, 
agreeable in his manners, moral in his habits, 
dilio-ent in his callino;, but alas ! a strang^er to 
devotion ! a neglecter or despiser of Christ, 
who seems to possess almost every thing that 
could be desired by his most attached friends, 
but the ^'one thing needful." All who sin- 
cerely love you are anxiously looking for the 
moment when they will see in you an evident 
and just concern for the life of your souls ; 
and they tremble, lest even your morality 
should betray you, and lest you should, after 
all, belono; to the world instead of belono;inor 
to God. May it be irresistibly impressed up- 
on your m_ind and conscience — That whatever 
propriety of moral habits may be preserved ; 
whatever knowledge m.ay be acquired, what- 
ever talent may be possessed for business, or 
other useful purposes ; whatever decent re- 



CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS. 101 

spect may be paid to all the externals of reli- 
gion ; all this, and even much more, must fail 
you in the solemn moments when you will 
need strong consolation. If the matter be 
rightly considered, it must appear most awful, 
when young persons approach the age of ma- 
turity, without having become decided as reli- 
gious characters. When every thing but the 
active service of God is pursued with steadi- 
ness and energy, and perhaps with proportion- 
able success, there must be something, very 
much, that is wrong, and that bears a threat- 
ening aspect as to the scene of a dying hour, 
and the ultimate issue of this probationary life. 
Enough has been placed before you in this 
little volume to prove, that while every thing 
short of real spiritual religion in the faith of 
the Son of God, must be but vanity, consid- 
ered as a ground of hope towards God, 

Jesus can make a dying bed, 
Feel soft hs downy pillows are. 

This testimony is now presented to you 
with confidence, with earnestness, with affec- 



109 FAMILY MEMaRIAL. 

tion : but without the knowledge of Him who 
alone is "the way, the truth, and the life/' 
and without a heart reposing upon Him, you 
will certainly find, even after a long enumera- 
tion of pleasing and valuable quahties, that 
one thing, and that one thing every thing, is 
wantino:. 



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11 

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Conviction not Conversion ; Illustrated in the 
Life of Rev. Thomas Halyburton. 
This little work is in four chapters, giving 
an account of Mr. Ilalyburton's birth, educa- 
tion, and religious convictions; his condition 
at college ; his private teacher ; his tempta- 
tions ; entrance upon the ministry ; his la- 
bors, sickness, and death. Large type, with 
an enorravinor. Price 12 cents. 



13 

The Happy Family made Happier; or the 
Resurrection of Lazarus. 2d Ed. 
This is a representation of domestic peace^ 
tranquillity, virtue, and happiness, in the fam- 
ily of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary, at Betha- 
ny ; with an account of the resurrection of 
Lazarus. Accompanied by a map of Betha- 
ny and the adjacent cities and villages, and 
also a cut. By Wm. A. Alcott. Price 15 
cents. 

The True Word of Prophecy, or Prophecy 
Fulfilled in the Destruction of Babylon. 
Account of the origin, situation, walls, tow- 
ers, and hanging gardens of Babylon. Its 
destruction foretold. Taken by Cyrus. Fi- 
nally destroyed. In three chapters. The 
frontispiece representing Captain Mignan, a 
traveler, viewing its desolation. Price 1^ 
cents. 

The Life of the Prophet Jeremiah. 

Consisting of four chapters, containing an 
account of the birth, life,^ character, prophe-^ 
cies, persecution, imprisonment, and release 
of this Prophet. Tradition that he was 
stoned to death for his faithfulness in reprov- 
ing the Jews, Price 12 cents. 



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